Fitment Holder

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a fitment holder that includes a base, a hub extending from the base, and a fitment positioning structure comprising a plurality of pins. The plurality of pins may be configured to engage a wing of the fitment and the plurality of pins may include a plurality of heads residing in a plurality of countersunk areas formed in the base. The plurality of pins may also include a plurality of ends extending from a top surface of the base.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Utility application Ser. No.16/169,148 which was filed on Oct. 24, 2018, which claims priority toU.S. Provisional Application No. 62/576,117 which was filed on Oct. 24,2017, the entirety of which is incorporated herein fully by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

Example embodiments relate to a holder configured to support a fitment.Example embodiments also relate to a method using the holder tomanufacture a product.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conveyor systems are commonly used to manufacture desired items. Somesystems use conveyors to move items, for example, fitments for juicepouches, from one location to another. FIGS. 1-3, for example, are viewsof an example fitment 100 often utilized with juice pouches. As oneskilled in the art will readily appreciate, there are several fitmentconfigurations, as such, the fitment of FIGS. 1-3 is provided merely forthe purpose of illustration. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the fitment 100includes a bottom 110, a neck 120, and a top 130. The bottom 110 isoften hollow and has a form similar to a barrel. In order to promoteefficiency it is desired to have a conveying system that includes amechanism that orderly moves fitments 100 from one location to another.

SUMMARY

Example embodiments relate to a holder configured to support a fitment.Example embodiments also relate to a method using the fitment holder tomanufacture a product.

In at least one nonlimiting example embodiment a fitment holder includesa base, a hub extending from the base, and a fitment positioningstructure. The fitment positioning structure may include a plurality ofpins configured to engage a wing of the fitment. The plurality of pinsmay include a plurality of heads residing in a plurality of countersunkareas formed in the base and a plurality of ends extending from a topsurface of the base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Example embodiments are described in detail below with reference to theattached drawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a conventional fitment;

FIG. 2 top view of the conventional fitment;

FIG. 3 bottom view of the conventional fitment;

FIG. 4 is a view of a system in accordance with an example of theinvention;

FIG. 5 is a top view of a fitment holder in accordance with an exampleof the invention;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the fitment holder in accordance with anexample of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the fitment holder in accordance with anexample of the invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a conventional fitment being drawn near the fitmentholder in accordance with an example of the invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of the fitment on the fitment holder inaccordance with an example of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a top view of the fitment on the fitment holder in accordancewith an example of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a view of a fitment holder in accordance with exampleembodiments;

FIG. 12 is a view of a fitment holder in accordance with exampleembodiments;

FIG. 13 is a view of a fitment holder in accordance with exampleembodiments;

FIG. 14 is a view of a fitment holder in accordance with exampleembodiments;

FIG. 15 is a view of a fitment holder in accordance with exampleembodiments;

FIG. 16 is a side view of a modified fitment holder in accordance withexample embodiments;

FIG. 17 is a top view of the modified fitment holder in accordance withexample embodiments.

FIG. 18 is a view of a base with a plurality of apertures configured toreceive a plurality of pins in accordance with example embodiments; and

FIG. 19 is a view of a base with a pair of apertures configured toreceive a pair of screws.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments of the inventionare shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in different formsand should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forthherein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosurewill be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of theinvention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the sizes ofcomponents may be exaggerated for clarity.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to asbeing “on,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, itcan be directly on, connected to, or coupled to the other element orlayer or intervening elements or layers that may be present. Incontrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,”“directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element orlayer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. As usedherein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one ormore of the associated listed items.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. maybe used herein to describe various elements, components, regions,layers, and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers,and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms areonly used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, and/orsection from another elements, component, region, layer, and/or section.Thus, a first element component region, layer or section discussed belowcould be termed a second element, component, region, layer, or sectionwithout departing from the teachings of example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,”“upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description todescribe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) orfeature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that thespatially relative terms are intended to encompass differentorientations of the structure in use or operation in addition to theorientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the structure inthe figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath”other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the otherelements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompassboth an orientation of above and below. The structure may be otherwiseoriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatiallyrelative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

Embodiments described herein will refer to plan views and/orcross-sectional views by way of ideal schematic views. Accordingly, theviews may be modified depending on manufacturing technologies and/ortolerances. Therefore, example embodiments are not limited to thoseshown in the views, but include modifications in configurations formedon the basis of manufacturing process. Therefore, regions exemplified inthe figures have schematic properties and shapes of regions shown in thefigures exemplify specific shapes or regions of elements, and do notlimit example embodiments.

The subject matter of example embodiments, as disclosed herein, isdescribed with specificity to meet statutory requirements. However, thedescription itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent.Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed subject mattermight also be embodied in other ways, to include different features orcombinations of features similar to the ones described in this document,in conjunction with other technologies. Generally, example embodimentsrelate to a holder configured to support a fitment. Example embodimentsalso relate to a method using the fitment holder to manufacture aproduct.

FIG. 4 is a view of a system 1000 in accordance with exampleembodiments. In example embodiments, the system 1000 may be used toinsert fitments into standup pouches, for example, juice pouches. Asshown in FIG. 4, the system 1000 includes a fitment feeder 200 which mayinclude a plurality of fitments 100. The fitments 100 may be moved fromthe fitment feeder 200 to a fitment conveying chute 300 which conveysthe fitments 100 to a fitment holder feeder 400. The fitments 100 maythen be placed on one or more fitment holders 500 secured in place via afitment transport press 600. The fitment holders 500 are attached to atransport conveyor 900. Operation of the transport conveyor 900 movesthe fitment holders 500 with the fitments 100 attached to a fitmentrobotic transfer 700. The fitments 100, using the fitment robot transfer700, may be moved to other equipment for assembly of a fitmented standuppouch 800. It is understood that while the system 1000 is described as asystem for fitmenting standup pouches, the system is exemplary in natureand may be used to manufacture a number of desired items.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a fitment holder 500 in accordance with exampleembodiments. FIG. 6 is a side view of the fitment holder 500 and FIG. 7is a perspective view of the fitment holder 500. As shown in FIGS. 5-7,the fitment holder 500 may include a base 510, a hub 520, and a fitmentpositioning structure 530. The hub 520 may be sized to match a barrel ofthe fitment 100 so that the fitment 100 may be secured to the fitmentholder 500. The barrel of the fitment 100 may include a space 105 whichreceives the hub 520. The space 105, in one nonlimiting exampleembodiment, corresponds to a drink opening having a diameter and depththat may accommodate the hub 520. The fitment positioning structure 530may aid in properly orientating the fitment 100 as it is moved along theconveyor transport 900. For example, the fitment positioning structure530 may accommodate a wing 115 of the fitment 100. It is understood thatthe particular shape of the hub 520 is not critical as the shape mayvary from one embodiment to another based on the barrel of the fitment100. For example, if the barrel has a space 105 with a circularcross-section, the hub 520 may have a circular cross-section to fit inthe space. As another example, if the cross-section of the space 105 issquare, the cross-section of the hub 520 may be square. As yet anotherexample, if the cross-section of the space 105 is elliptical, thecross-section of the hub 520 may be elliptical. Regardless, the hub 520should be configured to fit into the barrel of the fitment 100 and maybe configured to promote a snug fit.

In FIGS. 5-7 the fitment positioning structure 530 is illustrated asbeing comprised of a plurality of pins. For example, in the nonlimitingexample of FIGS. 5-7 the fitment positioning structure 530 is comprisedof six pins 532, 533, 534, 536, 537 and 538. Although FIGS. 5-7illustrates the fitment positioning structure 530 as being comprised ofsix pins, the number of pins is for purposes of illustration only. Forexample, the fitment positioning structure 530 may include more than sixpins or less than six pins. In yet another embodiment, the pins may beomitted and the fitment positioning structure 530 may resemble pin-likeprotrusions extending from a top surface of the base 510. Regardless,the fitment positioning structure 530 is configured to accommodate theaforementioned wing 115 to stabilize and orientate the fitment 100 onthe fitment holder 500.

In example embodiments, the base 510 may have a first plurality of holes560 configured to receive the pins 532, 533, 534, 536, 537 and 538. Thepins 532, 533, 534, 536, 537, and 538 may include heads which preventthe pins 532, 533, 534, 536, 537, and 538 from passing completelythrough the base 510. In order to promote a flush contact between of thebase 510 and a conveyor belt upon which it may rest, the plurality ofholes may include a counter sunk portion to accommodate the heads of thepins 532, 533, 534, 536, 537, and 538. FIG. 18 shows an example of thebase 510 having the plurality of holes 560 which may be configured toreceive the plurality of pins 532, 533, 534, 536, 537, and 538. It isunderstood that FIG. 18 shows only some of the features of the base 510rather than all of the features. Certain features are not shown in orderto illustrate the plurality of holes 560. In example embodiments, anadhesive may be used to fix the pins 532, 533, 534, 536, 537, and 538 intheir respective holes. An advantage of the system designed by theinventor is that when the fitment holder 500 is attached to theconveyer, the pins 532, 534, 536, and 538 cannot back out of theirrespective holes even if the adhesive fails since the heads of the pins532, 534, 536, and 538 would be trapped between in the counter sunkportions of the holes 560 by the conveyor belt. This is a clearadvantage since a pin detaching from the fitment holder 500 couldpresent an unsafe condition for a consumer. For example, if the pins532, 533, 534, 536, 537, and 538 are attached to the base 510 by only anadhesive and the adhesive fails, the pins 532, 533, 534, 536, 537, and538 could fall into a pouch. This could present a choking hazard for aconsumer or could destroy machinery. However, the invention of thisapplication does not suffer this potential hazard.

In example embodiments, the fitment holder 500 may be attached to theconveyor 900 by a conventional means, for example, an adhesive ormechanical fasteners. This may allow for the permanent or removableattachments to the conveyor 900. For example, as shown in FIGS. 5-7, apair of screws 540 may attach the fitment holder 500 to the fitmenttransport conveyor belt 900. In example embodiments, the base 510 mayinclude a pair of apertures 542 which may be configured to receive thepair of screws 540. Though not shown in the figures, it is understoodthe a bushing may be provided within each of the apertures 542 toreceive the pair of screws 540. The pair of apertures 542 areillustrated best in FIG. 19. It is understood that FIG. 19 shows onlysome of the features of the base 510 rather than all of the features.Certain features are not shown in order to illustrate the pair ofapertures 542.

FIGS. 8-10 illustrate a fitment 100 being mounted on the example fitmentholder 500. As shown in FIG. 8, the fitment 100 may be moved towards thefitment holder 500 so that hub 520 and the space 105 of the fitmentbarrel are aligned. In example embodiments, a wing 115 of the fitment100 is also aligned with the fitment positioning structure 530 so thatthe wing 115 inserts into the fitment positioning structure 530 as shownin FIGS. 9 and 10. The fitment positioning structure 530 and the hub 520securely retain the fitment 100 on the fitment holder 500 so that as thefitment holder 500 is moved along conveyer belt 900, the fitment 100 ismoved in a desired way. For example, the fitment holder 500 establishesthe position of the fitment 100 on the fitment transport conveyer 900when received from the fitment feeder 200. The fitment holder 500 designfixes the fitment 100 orientation in both the vertical axis and mayprovide centerline alignment in the direction of travel on the fitmenttransport conveyer 900. The fitment holder 500 securely holds thefitment 100 in proper horizontal location and vertical orientation forentry into and passage through a fitment transport press 600 that forcesthe fitment 100 securely on to the fitment holder center hub 520. Thefitment holder 500 positioning pins 530 maintain the fitment positionand orientation through the press and presentation to the fitmentrobotic transfer 700. The fitment holder hub 520 locates the fitment 100on the fitment transport conveyer 900 for proper spacing and orientationfor automated hi-speed transport, robotic removal from fitment transportconveyer 900 and then robotic insertion into a pouch that may be moving.

The fitment holder 500 may be a sanitary, food safe device that properlyholds a fitment 100 for transport on a conveyor without falling ormisalignment thereby ensuring successful use of a robotic fitment pickupand fitment insertion into a high speed pouch filler system. The uniquefitment holder 500 design permits all sizes and shapes of fitments to besecured and oriented for transfer. Because of this simplicity of design,100% construction using food safe materials can be achieved. The fitmentholder 500 is a device that can be easily and economically fabricated toaccommodate all fitment types. The pin design is non-pullout ofunbreakable sanitary material to ensure food safety. The center hub 520may be machined to match a fitment drink opening diameter and depthensuring a secure fit during press and transfer operations. The fitmentholder 500 may be secured to the fitment transport conveyor 900 usingcountersunk stainless steel fasteners to ensure smooth travel on thefitment transport conveyer, long life expectancy, and quick change overfor varying fitment size and spacing requirements.

The base 510 may be fabricated from a food safe polymeric material of athickness suitable for base fasteners and the center hub 520installation. The fasteners attaching the base 510 to the conveyor beltmay be countersunk stainless steel for sanitary design. The center hub520 may also be stainless steel machined to match the internal barrel ofthe fitments being transferred. Fitment positioning pins may bestainless steel with heads countersunk into bottom of the fitment base510. Bottom entry of the pins through the base 510 provides “no pullout” design which eliminates problems of adhesive or thread failures. Insome embodiments, a leading edge of the base 510 may be beveled toprovide as easier flow into the fitment transport press. This bevel maycreate a sloped surface 511 in the base 510 as best seen in FIGS. 16 and17.

FIGS. 11-13 illustrate another example of a fitment holder 500′ inaccordance with example embodiments. Like fitment holder 500, fitmentholder 500′ may include a base 510′, a hub 520′, and a fitmentpositioning structure 530′. The hub 520′, like hub 520, may be sized tomatch a barrel of the fitment 100 so that the fitment 100 may be securedto the fitment holder 500′. In FIGS. 11-13 the fitment holder 500′ issubstantially identical to the fitment holder 500 except that in theembodiment of FIGS. 13-15 the fitment positioning structure 530′ iscomprised of a pair of protrusions protruding from a top surface of thebase 510′. The protrusions, in fact, may be integral with the base 510′.Due to the similarities of fitment holder 500′ to fitment holder 500 afurther description thereof is omitted for the sake of brevity.

FIGS. 14-15 illustrate yet another example of a fitment holder 500″ inaccordance with example embodiments. Like fitment holder 500, fitmentholder 500″ may include a base 510″, a hub 520″, and a fitmentpositioning structure 530″. The hub 520″, like hub 520, may be sized tomatch a barrel of the fitment 100 so that the fitment 100 may be securedto the fitment holder 500″. In FIGS. 14-15 the base 510″ is illustratedas including a threaded bushing 512″ configured to receive a threadedshaft 522″ extending from a bottom of the hub 520″. In this embodiment,the hub 520″ may be attached to the base 510″ by executing a screw typeaction to engage the threads of the shaft 522″ with the threads of thebushing 512″. In this way, the hub 520″ may be removably attached to thebase 510″. Due to the similarities of fitment holder 500″ to fitmentholder 500 a further description thereof is omitted for the sake ofbrevity.

What we claim is:
 1. A fitment holder comprising: a base; a hubextending from the base, the hub being configured to insert into abarrel of a fitment; and a fitment positioning structure extending fromthe base, the fitment positioning structure configured to engage a wingof the fitment.
 2. The fitment holder of claim 1, wherein the fitmentpositioning structure is a plurality of cylindrical members extendingfrom the base.
 3. The fitment holder of claim 1, wherein the fitmentpositioning structure is a plurality of pins extending through the base.4. The fitment holder of claim 1, wherein the fitment positioningstructure is a plurality of pins extending through the base, theplurality of pins having a plurality of heads residing in a plurality ofcountersunk areas of the base.
 5. The fitment holder of claim 1, whereinthe base includes at least one countersunk area and the fitmentpositioning structure has a head in the at least one countersunk area.6. The fitment holder of claim 1, wherein the fitment positioningstructure forms a wedge shape which receives the wing of the fitment. 7.The fitment holder of claim 1, wherein the fitment positioning structureincludes a plurality of pins arranged to form a wedge shape whichreceives the wing of the fitment.
 8. The fitment holder of claim 1,wherein the hub includes a threaded end received in a threaded bushingof the base.
 9. The fitment holder of claim 1, wherein the base includesa beveled front edge.
 10. The fitment holder of claim 1, wherein thebase further includes at least one aperture configured to receive atleast one screw to attach the fitment holder to a conveyor.
 11. Afitment transportation system comprising: a conveyer belt; the fitmentholder of claim 1; and at least one connector connecting the fitmentholder to the conveyor belt.
 12. The fitment transportation system ofclaim 11, wherein the at least one connector is at least one screwconfigured to penetrate the conveyor belt and insert into an aperture ofthe base.
 13. The fitment transportation system of claim 12, wherein theconveyor belt is sandwiched between a head of the at least one screw andthe base.
 14. The fitment transportation system of claim 11, wherein afront of the base is beveled.
 15. The fitment transportation system ofclaim 11, wherein the fitment positioning structure is a plurality ofpins extending through the base, the plurality of pins having aplurality of heads residing in a plurality of countersunk areas of thebase.
 16. The fitment transportation system of claim 11, wherein thefitment positioning structure is a plurality of pins extending throughthe base, the plurality of pins having a plurality of heads residing ina plurality of countersunk areas of the base and the plurality of headsare trapped between the conveyor belt and the base.
 17. A method ofassembling a standup pouch comprising: placing a fitment on a fitmentholder, wherein placing the fitment on the fitment holder results in ahub of the fitment holder residing in a barrel of the fitment and a wingof the fitment residing in a fitment positioning structure of thefitment holder.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein fitment positioningstructure is a plurality of pins extending through a base of the fitmentholder.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the plurality of pinsinclude a pin having a head residing in a countersunk area of the base.20. The method of claim 17, wherein the fitment holder carries thefitment along a conveyor belt.